Nitish to Take Oath as CM on 20th Nov

Patna:Nitish Kumar, who led the Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance to victory on Sunday in Bihar assembly elections, is likely to take oath as chief minister of Bihar for the third consecutive time on November 20, according to sources.

Though the results were declared on November 8, the swearing-in will take place only after the Chhath festival, which falls on the sixth day after Diwali. Since Diwali in on 11th, the oath-taking will not take place before 17th, sources said, adding that 20th seems to be the safe bet.

The final decision, however, will be taken only after the meeting of legislators where Nitish will be elected as the leader of the alliance, that comprises the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress, sources said.

The swearing in will take place at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. According to the constitution, 36 ministers, including the chief minister, can be included in the new cabinet. The Mahagathbandhan won 178 seats, or a two-third majority, in the 243-member assembly. The BJP and its allies got a mere 58 seats.